Dogwood Canyon 25k 10/23

DOGWOOD CANYON 25k

As my alarm went off at 6:20am I remembered the awesome evening I had just had, ending roughly 4 hours earlier. Everyone tells me I should get more sleep before my races, this is true, and I'm sure I would have much faster times if I did get some decent sleep. But as I lay there thinking about my adventures, I would have been okay getting dead last if it meant spending time with that special someone! =)

Well... anyone who knows me and my running knows that the next part of my morning consisted of several bathroom visits, even when I'm not nervous it seems to hit me good. Plus, I need to make sure its all gone so I don't have issues during the race. None so far in my racing career, unfortunately not the same for training runs! haha.

God could not have blessed us with a more beautiful race day! It wasn't even chilly out. I could stand there in my shorts and race top with no worries, no bundling up till the last few seconds. A-Mazing! As I waited for the race to start I lined up in the front of the pack and danced it out to some "Who Let the Dogs Out".


The race horn went off and I went out in the lead (I knew I would not finish first in this race and I wouldn't be lead for very long, however, there was someone taking pictures and I figured I might as well try and get a good shot of me in the lead). lol. It wasn't long before Rono (the Kenyan) was along side of me, and for awhile I ran next to him. At most of the creek crossings I fell back a little and tried to find the lowest part possible to run through. The last time I ran the race I just went straight through the middle and actually ended up waist deep at one point, but not this year! I do enjoy running through these creeks, however, I wish they were at the end of the race... because when you get your shoes soaked in the first 3 miles and then have to run another 12.5... your feet suffer quite a bit.

As the race continued Matt (a 15k racer) joined us and we ran together until it reached a point where he had to go a different way, eventually wining the 15k race. It was at this point that Rono disappeared from my sights for the rest of the race. I don't know if it was just me... but the hills seemed much much steeper this year (the course was different).

When I reached the first aid station I splashed a little bit of water into my mouth and grabbed a a few sport beans. As the race progressed the 2nd place finisher slowly passed me, and eventually 3rd place caught up to me. I enjoyed running with him. We chatted it up a bit and I used him to keep me going strong! We eventually reached the part in the course where its basically a short cliff drop and then a quick climb up a 75 degree angle maybe. hahaha. I just a bit confused on where to go.. i tried to go towards the camera guy and was supposed to go away from him. I guess he made me nervous, just kiddin.

Eventually, the 3rd place finisher pulled away from me pretty dramatically (Honestly, I can not figure out what happened. It wasn't a gradual distancing, he straight left) At the second aid station I took a quick sip of water. Every time I reached a clearing where I was out of the woods I would look all around me and see God's wonderful creation! The sun was shining with a magnificent beauty over the gorgeous Ozark Mountain hills full of the amazing fall colors as far as I could see! I debated stopping so I could take it all in longer! Every now and then I would say a little prayer of thanks, or prayer for someone. And I had a song stuck in my head, "Our God" by Chris Tomlin. Thanks to last night from Lexi singing it to herself as we made our way through the haunted corn maze and haunted house. haha <3

The first place 50k runner slowly caught up to me... he wasn't stopping on a single hill. He pushed through every single one of them! Amazing!! The 4th place 25k finisher caught up to me and we ran together till we reached the 3rd aid station. According to the race details, there would be an aid station every 5 miles.. so as soon as I saw aid station 3 I kicked it into high gear! Passed 4th place who stopped at the station. I put my stride on and picked up the pace. I kept pushing and pushing... but the finish never came, eventually I came up on a turn where my parents were. A lady said it was a hard push up this hill, level out, and then all down hill from there.. But the top of the hill didn't come for a long time.. once it did come.. there was another aid station, by this point the 4th place guy passed me again. (I had exhausted basically all my fuel... way too early).

I ended up finishing in 2.09, approximately 4 minutes slower than my first time 2 years ago. I Finished 5th overall this year, and 7th overall last year. I placed 1st in my age group. The course was much tougher this year, aaaand I got little sleep so I am fairly happy with my time, especially when I look at the 1st place finisher for both years(same person) he ran about 20 minutes slower than the other time I ran. I got an awesome plaque and nice finishers fleece.




After the race I spent an awesome day with Alexis. Included a random awesome dance party!!!

Skeleton Scramble 10/22

Potter's House Skeleton Scramble 5k
Costume Extravaganza!



I hosted a fun costume race to benefit Potter's House on October 22nd at 8am. My plan was to wake up at 5am and head over to campus to chalk out the course, hang up some arrows and signs and the finish/start line banner. However, as I woke up that morning and looked at my phone... it read 7:03... My eyes jumped out of my head and I said a few words I shouldn't have as I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first items of clothing I could find (pair of jeans and a hoodie.. not even a shirt) I had told my volunteers to get there at 7am so I could show them where to stand.
I called my main helper Sarah and told her I overslept and she said non of the volunteers were even there yet. I got to Potter's House at 7:15 and frantically looked for the chalk. I quickly sprinted the course chalking it and got back at 7:30ish. (Luckily I designed a 1.5 mile loop around campus) I got back and dispersed the volunteers and welcomed our awesome runners with their costumes.


Everything went on without a hitch, and despite the short amount of time available to advertise and no tshirts... we still had 17 people show up, raising about $170 for the Potter's House non-profit Christian coffee house. Almost everyone got one of the prizes (coffee cups full of coupons and merch). Good fun good fun. I look forward to planning it next year with awesome shirts and more time to advertise!

Sassafras(Wildcat) 5k

I just now realized that I never actually published my post about the 5k in Logan Rogersville on the 15th.

It was slightly chilly out as I got out of my truck and went to pick up my race bib. As usual I lined up in the front of everyone and when the race started I darted out in the lead. It was just the right amount of cold that my arms were numb and just a short enough race that they didn't warm up before I finished. It was a nice out and back on a beautiful country road. Very enjoyable! There was also a duathlon going on at the same time and two guys slowly passed me before they reached their mile turn around point.

Today I decided to be MR. POSITIVE! and Encouraging. I said great job to everyone I passed and thanked the volunteers for their help as I ran by them. What a Beautiful morning!

I was able to pull out a 17:24, steadily getting faster and faster each race! My goal is to get in the 16:00's by the Turkey Trot in November. I also placed first overall winning me a nice medal and a nice blue hoodie. As soon as I finished I went and did the course again for a cool down making sure to encourage everyone still racing!

Something really neat about this race was a conversation I had with a guy after the race. I'm horrible with names, but I think it was Jeff. He had a pretty crazy awesome story! I picked up running a few years ago and qualified for Boston on his first try. The crazy thing was that he had a stroke in the middle of his sleep and didn't even know it. Woke up with his arm hurting a little bit and didn't think anything of it. He was born with a small hole in his heart but never knew about it till he started running so much. His heart was working so hard and pumping so much blood that the hole got bigger and eventually caused a stroke, and the fact that he was so healthy also basically saved his life. So interesting... But he was a great example of Christ and praised Him throughout his story.

St. Johns Sunshine Run 10K 10/8/11

So I have decided that due to my inability to post within a reasonable team frame I will stop numbering the days and highlight specific runs and races. Unfortanetly I have been waiting to post my reflactions over the races until I have photos from the race, which usually ends up being at the end of the week after the race, at which point I am ooober busy with school, my two jobs, and running. So.. here is what happened for ever ago with the Sunshine 10k!

St. Johns Sunshine Run 10K 10/8/11


I could not have asked for a more beautiful day to run!! Cool crisp Fall morning weather warmed by the sun slowly rising. The race started and I bolted out in front! (Until this season I have never been one to take the lead, but now every race I have started doing this) Something I think I forget to mention in the Kickin' Route 66 entry was a thought that came to me as I was running the half marathon. I have finally become.. "That Guy". "That guy" who when everyone lines up at the start you look at him and think he'll probably win. And "that guy" who you think, surely he went out to fast and is gonna slow his pace when he gets tired. "That Guy" that everybody slowly can't see any more because he is so far ahead. I've never been "THAT GUY"! I'm still not the fastest (despite my victory every weekend), I have alot to improve, but! I finanly know what it feels like to be "that guy", and if I keep up the training, I will remain "that guy".

Back to the 10k race. I'm out in front feeling great, strollin down Kimbrough. There were bicyclist leading the race and I joked around with them a little as I used them to keep my pace fast. Greeting the race volunteers from time to time. After I completed the neighborhood loop I was back on Kimbrough headed back to the stadium. It was here where I started hearing the guy close behind me! I have decided on a new strategy, and it's never look back (I refuse to look behind me to see how close or far away the next opponent is). This keeps me going strong, not knowing how close they might be, I will stay on pace and keep pushing. So, i could hear his footprints (but not right behind, there was some distance) and occasionally I could hear him breathing. I kept trying to get faster and faster so that his sounds would be too far behind me to hear. Eventually I turned the last corner taking me into the cardinals stadium and for some reason I didn't really sprint. I don't know why, it was the weirdest thing, I basically just coasted into the finish line at 36:34 for the 10k taking 1st place.
Here is an Article covering the race! I'm in it! I feel foolish that I didn't mention Cross Country Missions. I will get another chance soon and then I will talk it up all I can!

Day 118

Toughman Competition
Day 2

Got to bed around 1am after working at the Potters House. Woke up at 5am to head over to the Kum and Go to pick up my bib number for the Kickin Route 66 Mother Road Run Half Marathon! I met with Richard White (running the marathon) to hitch a ride to my start line 13.1 miles down the road in order to save some $$ that I would of had to pay to ride the bus. Unfortunately the race didn't start till 8am.. and I was dropped off at the start line at 6:30am. lol. So, out there in the middle of nowhere in the dark I waited for people to show up for the race.




It was kind of cold out there so I had a hoodie and pants on.. but I was 13.1 miles away from my truck, so I tried to think of how I was going to get my stuff bike to the finish line. luckily someone from my high school ran the race and his parents drove to the start line! The start line consisted of a small yard sign next to a junk yard with porta johns across the street that if you didn't hold onto the bar on the door in front of you.. you might fall off the seat. lol. =) Great start line!!

As soon as the sun popped up on the horizon I could feel the warmth! The race began and Iled the back again! I debated falling in behind someone to "draft" off them but good thing I didn't! I went out in a 6:30 mile pace. got a 18:30 5k.. my arms and hands were freezing for the first 4-5 miles. Yet again another perk of being in the front is somewhat being able to use the lead car to pace you. But it wasn't like the guy on the bike, the cop would be there one minute and then speed off and then after mile 4 he was gone for ever. lol.

I really enjoyed that the mile markers were counting down. I was able to keep my pace up really good for a majority of the race! (I wish I would have hit my lap button on each mile so I would have my splits b/c they were pretty good!) I didn't suffer from any muscle cramps! So that was a big plus! I only looked behind me twice, once to switch sides of the road, and once in the last mile to see if the 2nd place person was close or not. I was tempted to turn around and look but if they were far away I would have slowed down my pace (whether that was b/c I purposely did it, or subconsciously did it) Instead I kept pushing myself not knowing where he was!

When I reached 5 miles left to go I kicked it into high gear, and every time I passed a mile marker I would speed up! Good thing I did b/c if I hadn't... I may have been over taken. I ended up finishing with a personal best of 1:21!!!!! 1 place over all!!! =D

Day 117

Toughman Competition
3 Races in 1 weekend

Saturday October 1st

Wasn't sure what to expect for this morning... I really wanted to do the Panther 12k or 5k... but I ended up doing the 2 mile because the race was at 8:30 and the Pregnancy Care Center 5k was at 9am. I wasn't sure how much time I would have between the races and dealing with parking and traffic. However, if I would have known the 2 mile wasn't timed or awarding medals then i would have went ahead and did one of the others, which after I finished the 2 mile I realized I could have!

I picked up my packet for the Panther Run and then quickly went and got the packet for the PCC 5k. The Panther Run had a great atmosphere and I spoke with a guy at the start line about cross country missions b/c he saw my new jersey . He ended up winning the 5k.



I coasted into the finish line at 10:56. 2 seconds slower than my PR. I quickly left and went to Jordan Valley Park to start the 5k. I ended up having plenty of time between races. Next year(if its the same set up) I will do the 12k followed by the 5k.

PCC 5k

While waiting at the start line I saw loads of people I knew, including a guy from the SBU alumni race with some friends of his and then a guy I met at one of the other races who is an awesome Christian. We started the race and again, I led the race which I didn't want to do. However, I am beginning to realize that I will be doing this alot more. So.. I ran and ran and it was actually nice being the lead b/c I was able to pace off the bike (leading the race) a little!! Probably around the last 400 meters a really fast guy (who was only behind me because he was helping pace his friend) passed me. I had it in me to stay with him, but instead I just let him over take me. Shame on me. But, I still got 2nd overall and 1st in my age group. When I went to get my trophy I jumped over the big gap (the stage was positioned in the middle of a water fountain that was surrounded by water)